STORM LAKE – A man was shot and killed by police following a standoff that went early into the morning hours earlier today. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has been requested in relation to the incident that started with a pursuit Sunday morning. During the traffic stop, police claim the driver, Daniel Joseph James Palenik, 45, was uncooperative, made threats towards law enforcement, and fled from the traffic stop at a high rate of speed. Law enforcement located Palenik at his Storm Lake residence a short time later and subsequently barricaded himself inside. He allegedly fired at officers several times, striking both occupied vehicles and law enforcement equipment. Shortly before 3:00 a.m., Palenik again fired at law enforcement. Officers returned fire, striking Palenik, who died at the scene. CEDAR FALLS – A Cedar Falls doctor has agreed to surrender his license following accusations of misconduct. Iowa Capital Dispatch reports 59-year-old Ted Bonebrake received a fourth sanction rom the Iowa Board of Medicine, which issued an emergency order to suspend his ability to practice medicine. While working at UnityPoint in Cedar Falls, Bonebrake was given several warnings replaced to incomplete medical charts. In the 2000s, he was accused of several substance abuse issues that led to a permanent probation following reinstatement of the medical license in 2013. ORANGE CITY – The annual RAGBRAI route has been announced and will be focused on northern Iowa this summer. The stops this year for the 52nd annual bike ride across the state starts in Orange City, continues through Milford, Estherville, Forest City, Iowa Falls, Cedar Falls, Oelwein, and ends in Guttenberg. This is the second shortest route in RAGBRAI history and sixth-flattest ever. The event will be held July 19th through the 26th.

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds released details about a bill to restrict students’ cell phone use during instructional time. The bill establishes a minimum standard that all Iowa school districts will be required to adopt by July 1st. The Iowa Department of Education will provide sample policies with room for potential exemptions. In partnership with the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Education will also provide guidance and support for schools that need to update their school safety plans. The legislation also requires “effects of social media” training for 6th-8th grade students. IOWA – Iowa’s labor force participation rate rose to 66.4 percent in December amid an influx of recent graduates entering the workforce, while the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.2 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate decreased to 4.1 percent in December. The number of unemployed Iowans increased to 53,900 in December from 53,000 in November.

HARDIN COUNTY – A fatal crash was reported at a railroad crossing in Hardin County. The Iowa State Patrol reports the driver of a Toyota Prius failed to yield to a northbound train, which collided with the rear side of the car. The driver was taken to life flight in Des Moines, where that individual was later pronounced dead. That’s the third fatal crash reported to the Iowa State Patrol this week, which included the death of 77-year-old Jimmy Kent Offen of Martelle for an incident in Jones County, and of an unidentified driver in Jackson County. WATERLOO – After receiving backlash from advertisers and viewers over a move to reduce local meteorologists on staff, the owner of two Iowa TV stations and dozens around the nation has indicated a reversal in that decision. The Waterloo Courier reports Allen Media Group will keep those staff members on board now. Last week, the owner of The Weather Channel wanted to use that national center and produce local forecasts from Atlanta — which would have seen dozens of meteorologists lose work, including at KWWL in Waterloo and KIMT in Sioux City. FAIRFIELD – A judge may weigh in on a dispute between a county sheriff and attorney, a first of its kind case, according to the Ottumwa Courier. Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding placed Jefferson County Sheriff Bart Richmond on a Brady/Giglio list. That group includes police officers with “questionable” judgement, according to the report. Richmond used a newly-revised Iowa law to petition for a judge to review that decision. The dispute also calls into question whether the revised bill aimed to further protections for law enforcement is constitutional, although the Iowa Supreme Court has declined to weigh in for now.

POLK CITY – Several fire crews responded to a large fire at the Saylorville Marina Wednesday evening. KCCI-TV reports several boats were engulfed in flames. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that all boats were unoccupied, but dozens were impacted by damage. The Marina is located at Saylorville Lake near Polk City. WATERLOO – Two Iowa TV stations are replacing all local meteorologists with remote coverage from The Weather Channel. The Des Moines Register reports Allen Media Group owns both KWWL and KIMT. All meteorologists on staff at both locations have been notified that they will no longer work for the stations. This news follows reports that WOI in Des Moines will share meteorologist reports with WQAD in Davenport. MIDDLETOWN – Nobody was injured at an explosion that occurred Wednesday at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant. The explosion occurred in the ammunition production area. Due to the safety standards in place at the installation, the U.S. Army reported there were no injuries. The incident is currently under investigation. The Iowa Army Ammunition Plant mission is to produce quality medium- and large-caliber munitions for the Joint Warfighter.

COUNCIL BLUFFS – U.S. Marshals have taken custody of an Iowa man wanted on multiple federal child sexual exploitation charges. Trevor John Collison is being held on federal charges of sexual exploitation of a child and possession of child pornography, pursuant to an arrest warrant issued in the Southern District of Iowa in October 2024. U.S. Marshals determined that Collison fled the United States following the execution of a search warrant at his Little Sioux residence in August 2024, which was conducted by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office as part of a child sexual exploitation investigation. Marshals tracked his movements across several South Pacific countries. WINTERSET – Police are investigating the death of a farmer who they believe was killed by a bull. The Des Moines Register reports 76-year-old Mark Hollingsworth was found unresponsive in a cattle feeding area on Sunday. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office believe Hollingsworth was checking on possibly frozen water when a bull attacked the farmer. An investigation is underway to determine if the animal attacked Hollingsworth before or after a possible medical incident. IOWA – Multiple Iowans charged in the January 6th, 2021 riots at the U.S. Capitol have been pardoned by President Donald Trump. KCCI-TV reports Kyle Young and Salvador Sandoval are expected to be released from prison soon and have their convictions effectively erased by a sweeping executive order. At least nine Iowans were sentenced in connection to the attacks. Those who paid fines will not be reimbursed.